Radioprotection of sheep erythrocytes by polyvinylpyrrolidone

The protective effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone of mol. wt 10,000 and 40,000, on sheep erythrocytes irradiated up to 13 kGy, and stored for one month at 4 degrees C was studied. Addition of these compounds at a level of 10-15% reduced hemolysis from 90% in irradiated erythrocyte solution to approximately 10%. The high efficiency of this protective agent is discussed.